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BBC Radio 4 LW

Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

BBC Radio 4 FM

Something Understood: Popularity

Embracing the Classical

10/12/2017

Popularity

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Popularity

Mark Tully navigates the choppy waters of personal and professional popularity.

Mark Tully investigates the contemporary drive for popularity in life, art and politics - with priest and PR expert Rob Marshall and readings by Alistair McGowan and Emma Cunniffe.

The drive for popularity - in life, in art, at work and in politics - has never been stronger. Many court it, others seek to avoid it, most will be affected by it one way or another.

Mark Tully considers the potential of popularity, for good and for ill. He examines the preconceptions about it, the power it has for positive change and the dangers it can present.

He talks to broadcaster, priest and public relations expert Rob Marshall about popularity in religion and in politics, and there are readings and music from Angela Carter, Philip Glass, Helen Fielding, Ned Rorem, William Walton and William Shakespeare.

The readers are Alistair McGowan and Emma Cunniffe.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4.

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